Your baby's head needs a lot of support during her first few months until her neck muscles get stronger.

Gaining the strength to hold her head up is the foundation on which the development of all your baby's other movement is based. It will help her to roll over, sit up, crawl and walk.

When will my baby be able to hold her head up?

By six months, your baby will have developed neck muscles strong enough to hold her head up and look from side to side.

How will my baby develop head control?

Your baby will take it slowly. She'll gradually develop head control over her first six months.

Newborns
Your baby's neck muscles are fairly weak at birth. For the first few months, she'll rely on you using your hand to support her head and neck when you hold her. Perhaps it's nature's way of ensuring you have lots of face-to-face interaction. As you cradle her in your arms, enjoy the chance to look into her eyes. It'll help you bond and make her feel loved.

One to two months
By the end of your baby's first month, she may be able to lift her head briefly when she's lying on her tummy. She may also turn it from side to side.

At around six to eight weeks, she may be able to raise her head when she's lying on her back. When you hold her on your shoulder, she may have enough control to hold her head up shakily, but not for long. Right now, you can put her in her bouncy seat and she'll enjoy watching the world go by.

Your baby will also be strong enough to hold up her head in a car seat or sling. You may find she's still too wobbly for a lightweight pram or a backpack. Wait to use these until she can hold her head up steadily without any support from you, probably at about six months.

Three to four months
You'll notice a definite improvement in your baby's head control by this time. She's able to raise her head up 45 degrees from the floor while lying on her tummy, and keep it steady.

Try a fun game that will help to develop your baby's neck muscles. Put your baby on her back on the floor, and slowly pull her up by her hands to a sitting position. Slowly ease her back down, and repeat. She should be able to hold her head more or less in line with the rest of her body as you pull her up.

Your baby may be ready for a pram at four months, but stick to a mall or smooth surfaces for now. It's best to stay away from potholed roads, busy markets and congested intersections.

Five to six months
By six months, your baby should be able to hold her head steady and upright. She'll tilt her head forward when you pull her up into a sitting position.

Once my baby can hold her head up, what will she do next?

Once your baby has good head control, she can move on to sitting up, rolling over and crawling. Your baby also needs head control before starting on solid foods and sitting in a high chair.

How can I help my baby hold her head up?

You don't have to do much to encourage your baby to develop head control. But you do have to be careful to support her head in the first months. Cradle your baby's neck and head in the palm of your hand when you pick her up.

Even while your baby's neck is a bit wobbly, give her plenty of opportunities to play on her tummy. Lifting her head and chest to look at you or her toys will strengthen her neck muscles. This will also help build the muscles she needs for sitting up.

From three to six months, you may want to prop your baby up on the sofa or the bed. This will give her a better view of what's going on. If you want to sit your baby up, make sure she's in the middle of the bed or sofa and away from the edge. Stay with her the entire time. Give her plenty of head and neck support.

Pillows are useful for support, but you could also sit her on your lap with her head against your tummy. Sit her up in different spots around your home so her view changes and she can look at different things.

My baby is three months. Should I worry that she can't hold her head up yet?

If you have concerns, or your baby seems to struggle to lift her head up even slightly at three months, mention it to your doctor. Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others, and head control is no different.